Damascus “City of Jasmine”

‘What should I do, Lord?’ ‘Get up and go into Damascus,’ He told me.

‘There you will be told all that you have been appointed to do.’

Acts 10:22

Jasmine in Damascus from Pinterest

There is much for us to learn from the city of Damascus:

Oldest city

Important Biblical people:

Abram
Jesus
Saul / Paul

Egyptian Record

Gates (Thomas Gate / Bab Touma)

Jerusalem / Israel / Road

The Romans linked their center of administration, located in Damascus, to the Galilee. They set up roads that enabled an efficient route through the tough terrain. Traces of such roads can be seen in several locations in the Golan heights. There are two major roads from the Galilee to Damascus, a northern one (through Dan and Caesarea Philippi-Banias) and a southern one (from several sites on the west side of the Sea of Galilee). https://biblewalks.com/sites/GolanRomanRoad.html

Jasmine Flower

**A Jasmine vine perspective of Damascus from Qasioun mountain.**

Photo by Muhammad Khale d

Damascus is called the “City of Jasmine.” The city is still known by its popular epithet al-Fayḥāʾ (“the Fragrant”). The name jasmine is derived from the Persian (Fārsi) Yasameen (“gift from God”) through Arabic and Latin. Jasmine is thought to have originated in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran). It was found in Egypt as early as 1000 BCE, spreading from there through nearby countries.

Jasmine (taxonomic name Jasminum is agenus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae). It contains around 200 species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Eurasia, Australasia and Oceania. Jasmines are widely cultivated for the characteristic fragrance of their flowers.

Jasmine is sometimes referred as “Queen of the Night”, both because it blooms at night. Its pure white blossoms can also symbolize purity. Because the small, unassuming white flowers bloom at night with such a powerful scent, jasmine sometimes symbolizes the value of modesty. Jasmine essential oil has been one of the world’s most beloved aromas for hundreds of years, and was one of the first plants cultivated for its scent. Jasmine tea is enjoyed worldwide.

**City Seal with Jasmine flower** http://www.damascus.gov.sy

Dammeśeq (דמשק) in Biblical Hebrew.

It is commonly known in Syria as ash-Sham (Arabic: الشام‎‎ ash-Shām) and nicknamed as the City of Jasmine (Arabic: مدينة الياسمين‎‎ Madīnat al-Yāsmīn). In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major cultural and religious centre of the Levant.

Jasmine Of Damascus – Scenes from Syria